Gorey off to good start
GOREY GOT their second season in Division 1A off to a winning start when they overcame a strong D.L.S.P. in Clonattin on Saturday.
A changed Gorey team took to the field with probably the youngest pack ever to represent the club, a cause for trepidation for the home support. On a beautiful day for rugby and with a perfect pitch, the stage was set for a cracking game as the corresponding fixture last season was one of the better contests.
D.L.S.P. started the brighter as their bigger and more experienced pack took the game to the home team. Gorey weathered this initial assault, and eventually arrived in the visitors’ ’22, but sustained pressure on the line ended with nothing for their endeavours.
Both teams were working hard but the defences were proving hard to break down. As Salmo attacked a Gorey turnover, deep in their half, released the backs and quick hands saw the elusive Nevil Copeland race down the field to put hooker Barry O’Connor in for the opening try.
David Shannon was narrowly wide with the conversion. A seemingly easy penalty for Salmo sailed by the post and as half-time arrived Gorey just about deserved their 5-0 lead.
The second-half saw Gorey again on the front foot in the early exchanges. As in the first-half both defences were proving hard to break down as it took until the 68th minute for the next score, when Gorey crossed for a try, with David Shannon touching down and converting to put them 12-0 up.
This seemed to spur Salmo as their bigger and more experienced pack started to shade the exchanges. They finally crossed the line to reduce Gorey’s lead to 12-5.
Within minutes they were to draw level, after a cracking try from their centre, who raced in under the posts. The game was heading for a draw, but Gorey somehow managed to get a grip of proceedings, with indiscipline costing Salmo.
Gorey were awarded a penalty with two minutes left on the clock, and David Shannon split the posts to put his team back in front.
In a tense game the home team get full marks for endeavour as they never gave up and move on to an away fixture in Monkstown next week. It is hard to pick out individuals in such a game but Barry O’Connor, Mark and Ben Horan were the pick of the pack with Nevil Copeland and David Shannon showing well in the backs.
Team: Will Kearney, Barry O’Connor, Darragh Bellanova, Adam Masterson, Alex Bond, Donnacha Carroll, Ben Horan, Mark Whelan, Gareth Bater, Josh Thomas, Nevil Copeland, Matt Bater, Gary Rynhart, Andrew Walshe, David Shannon, Will Rothwell, Eddie Horan, Heino Gaiser, Stephen Horan, Eoin Walsh.